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Appalachian Regional Commission

Region to receive nearly $5M in ARC grants

All total, these 54 awards across the commission’s service area are projected to create or retain more than 5,700 jobs, leverage more than $39 million in private investment, create and/or retain 2,940 businesses, and train thousands of workers and students within several; industries. 

Oct 8, 2019 at 9:30 PM
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NETWORKS — Sullivan Partnership

NETWORKS is on board with region's branding effort

Late last year, the three Tri-Cities chambers led a regionalism effort that produced a promotional video calling the region the Appalachian Highlands, but that led to elected officials getting involved in the concept.

Apr 16, 2019 at 8:45 PM
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Tri-Cities Airport

NSCC moving Aviation Maintenance Technology program to Tri-Cities Airport

Northeast State announced during an Airport Authority meeting plans to relocate its Aviation Maintenance Technology program from Gray to a hangar to be built at the airport.

Feb 28, 2019 at 5:30 PM
New Tri-Cities Airport Executive Director Gene Cossey noted the pilot shortage is affecting air service growth.
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Tri-Cities Airport

Airport director sees ‘huge potential’ for growth

Prior to accepting the position at Tri-Cities Airport, Gene Cossey served as the executive director of the University of Illinois – Willard Airport. During Cossey’s three years at Willard Airport, he expanded air service, developed new concessions and revenue sources, worked to develop the first airport master plan in more than 40 years, and managed construction projects for new taxiways, airport lighting and roadways.

Feb 26, 2019 at 1:26 PM
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NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership

Clay Walker's next chapter

Walker announced near the end of a January NETWORKS board meeting that he has signed on to head up the economic development organization for another four years.

Jan 28, 2019 at 8:30 AM
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aerospace park

Grant money keeps landing at Aerospace Park

BLOUNTVILLE – The Tri-Cities Airport Authority announced on Monday it has been awarded a $1.69 million grant from the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s Aeronautics Economic Development Fund to further the development of Aerospace Park, the airport’s aviation-related economic development project.

Jan 15, 2019 at 11:28 AM
Gene Cossey
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Tri-Cities Airport Authority

Airport Authority picks Cossey as next executive director

Airport Authority Chairman Jon Smith was expected to negotiate a compensation package – which included base pay of $150,000 per year – with Gene Cossey. If no agreement could be reached, Airport Authority commissioners said they would reconvene its search committee with a new slate of candidates.

Jan 7, 2019 at 7:00 PM
Hank Somers
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Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame

Kingsport man named 'Aviation Person of the Year'

Hank Somers is described as a tireless advocate for improving K-12 education in the region. His hobby as a private pilot helped him recognize the need to better position Northeast Tennessee to attract aviation and aerospace industry. 

Oct 22, 2018 at 10:00 PM
L-R: Washington County, Tenn. Mayor Joe Grandy and Sullivan County Mayor Richard Venable sign copies of a joint resolution approved during a historic first Thursday as the Sullivan County Commission and Washington County Commission held a joint meeting at Tri-Cities Airport. By voice votes, each commission approved the resolution to declare October 18 "Regional Cooperation Day."
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Regional Cooperation Day

Regionalism is the topic as Sullivan, Washington commissions hold first joint meeting

In what was billed as the first time the two commission’s ever met jointly, each body voted to approve a resolution citing prior successes and pledging to forge greater bonds — throughout the region.

Oct 19, 2018 at 8:39 AM
Airport, local and state elected officials moved to the next stage of Aerospace Park development on Thursday.
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aerospace park

Airport begins earth-moving experience

The airport’s target industries for Aerospace Park include maintenance, repair and overhaul operations, completion and delivery centers, passenger to freighter conversion centers, and manufacturers.

Oct 4, 2018 at 7:00 PM
This computer-generated image shows what Aeriospace Park could look like at total build out.
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Tri-Cities Airport

And the Aerospace Park contract goes to ...

Airport Authority commissioners awarded a $10.6 million construction contract Thursday to Elizabethton-based Summers-Taylor for Aerospace Park site development at Tri-Cities Airport.

Aug 24, 2018 at 8:30 AM
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Tri-Cities Airport

What's new with Aerospace Park?

The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has been made aware of an $8.5 million bond issue to help finance grading at what has been billed as the region’s next big jobs producer, airport authority commissioners were told.

Jun 29, 2018 at 11:30 AM
NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership, state and local officials display ceremonial $1 million check to provide rail access at Partnership Park II in Bristol.
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Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development

NETWORKS, Tri-Cities Airport, Erwin get share of state site development funds

NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership is getting $1 million to develop rail access at Partnership Park II in Bristol, Tri-Cities Airport is being handed $500,00 for Aerospace Park grading and the Town of Erwin gets $500,000 to rehab an old building.

May 19, 2018 at 8:30 AM
The circled area shows what Aerospace Park could look like at complete build out.
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aerospace park

Aerospace Park bond issue flies

“The proceeds are in the bank,” Airport Executive Director Patrick Wilson told Airport Authority commissioners on Thursday. “That puts us in a position to proceed with start of construction. We are in the design process.”

Apr 26, 2018 at 6:00 PM
The computer-generated buildings inside the circle indicate what Aerospace Park could look like at full build out.
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aerospace park

Aerospace Park cashes in

The money pipeline for the Tri-Cities Airport’s Aerospace Park project got a boost Thursday as the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission announced the airport has been awarded a $4.1 million grant for the development.

Jan 11, 2018 at 5:30 PM
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